Automobile ikclosube



G. E. B|sHoP.` AUTOMOBILE INCLOSURE. APPLICATION FILED"JUI.Y22. 1920.

1,425,444, 1 PatenteaAug.8,1922.

. asHEETs-sufn x.

11T f .117 f4 .5,2 l 'j/'j /6 Kfz I l f /Z-Z Venier: 65616655 /swp AUTOMOBILE INCLOSURE. APPLICATION, FILED lum/22, 1920.

1 ,425,444, Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. E. BISHOP.

AUTOMOBILE INCLOSURE. APPLICATION FILED IULYZZ, |920. 1,425,444 Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

uniren-sc'1arssy natuur OFFICE.

' GEBGE E. vrrsrror', or CLEVELAND, onto.

AUTOMOBILE inctos'manv Applicaupn mea .my 22,

To ZZ whom t may concern.' i Be 1t known that LGno-non. E. BisHo1 ,a

citizen ofthe United States, resident ofy Cleveland, county of'Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvementsv in Automobile lnclosures, of which the following-is` aspecicatiomthe principle of the invention'being hereineXf plained and the best Inodein which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates lto automobile in# closures, and particularly to the uppery doorsection of such K inclosur'es.` More particularly, the invention relates toa new and improved frame for an upper'ldoor-section which is adapted 'to carry a glass outlook,

although an adaptation is' very suitable for a Celluloid outlook. i

The annexed drawin'gs and the follow ing descriptiony set`forth'in detail certain means embodying my inventiomthe disclosed means, however,fconstituting but a few of the various ymechar'iical forms in which :the principle of the inventioninay be applied. f Y* ln said annexed drawings e Figure 1repre`sents an inside view of one form of my invention, in which the glass outlook supported ina frame carried in the fabric curtain, 'togetherwith other elestruction shown in Figurel; v

Figure'6`represents Aan inside `view of r-another type of in'closure, in whichthe glass outlook is supported ina combination wood and sheet metal frame, `disposed adjacently the edges ofthe fabric, together with other modiiicntions in the supporting frod, etc., which ywill hereinafter more fully appear; Figure 7 represents a-transverse, horizontal section, taken the VSpecicationof Letters Patent. Patented Aug, 8, 1922,

192e. serial No. 398,138.

n plane indicated by the line VII-fVII, Figure 6; i Figure 8 represents a' transverse, horizontal section, upon an enlarged scale, ,taken in the plane indicated by the line rVIII--VIII, Fi ure6;`r

i igure 9 represents a transverse, vvertical section, taken in the plane indicated by the line'X--IX, Figure 6;

`fFigure 10 represents a transverse, vertical section, upon anenlargeol scale, takenin the plane indicatedA by the line X-fX, Figure 6; 'n Figure 11 represents an elevation of one ofthe supporting rods' utilized in connection with the inclosure shown'in Figure 6;

`Figure 12 represents a fragmentary, vertical, longitudinal section of certain portions of the inclosure shown in Figure 6;

.Figure 13 represents van inside view of. a

third type of inclosure, in which the supporting rod, wood frame members, and somo other details aremodified somewhat from the form shown in Figure 6; v

I Figure 14' represents a transverse, horizontal section, takenin the plane indicated by the line XIV-KUB Figure 13; y iFigure 15 represents a transverse, horizontal'section, upon an enlarged-scale, taken in the plane indicated by the line XV-XV,

Figurey 13; i

Figure 16 represents atransverse, vertical section, taken .in the plane indicated by the line XVI-fXVl, Figure 13;

Figure 17 represents 'av transverse, vertical section, upon an enlarged scale, taken in the plane indicated by the line XVII-XVII,

Figure 13 and Figure `18'r'epresents an elevation of one e of the rods used 1n connection with the curtain shown; in. Figure 13.

Referring to the annexed drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, there y'is therein" disclosed an automobile side inalsk closure adapted to constitute an upper door n section.y .Said section carries a glass outlook 6, is adapted to be supported upon the door 1 by rods 9 and 10, as will hereinafter 'more fully appear in. detail, and tol ridein and out upon the door as the latter is opened `and shut along lthe hinge line indicated by the ordinal 2. Sections of the automobilev body contiguous to the door-1, are indicated *by the ordinals 3 andV 1, respectively. This upper door sectionv of the automobile inclcsure is supported'upon cylindrical, rods i which Will hereinafter be describe'dfin detail, and Within which the glass outlook 6 is supported. The outer' metal supporting frame consists, in combination With the vertically disposed rods 9 and 10, of a horizontal lower rectangular section, 7 With an uptu'rned angular end 7 terminating substantially at the point 72; and a horizontal, upper, rectangular section-8',said sections 7 and 8 being comprised of flat steel bars approximately 333g thick, and being incorporated Within the fabric 5. The supporting cylindrical rods 9 and 10 are formed With rectangular upper sections 9 and 10, substantially JX,, which are positioned in slots 15` and 16 formed in the respective side edges' of the fabric 5-, the rod 9 being tas- `tened to the section 7 and the section 8 the rivets 11 and 12, respectively,iaml the rod 10 being fastened to said sections Tand 8 by the rivets 1,3 and 14, respectively; It has already` been noted that the lower ends of the rods9 and 10 are mounted in cylindrical bushings 17 contained Within the door recesses 18. The rods 9 and 10 are formed with the offsets 92 and 102, plainly shown in Figures 1, 4 Vand 5, whereby the frame can be provided with overlapping Side edges which are eli'iciently supported and strenthcned and at the same time the frame is supported upon the door 1 and overlaps the top of the latter. The frame formed by the members 7, 8, 9 and 10', in combination with the elements 17, removably supports the inclosure upon the door 1 so that the same can ridein and outA With the door, the recesses 18 beingxformed adjacently the outer edge of the door, Figure 4, so that the oitsets 92 and 102 are not deep enough materially to increase the thickness of the inclosure ivhen the. same is stored.

The outlook 6 is supported in a substantiallyv lrectangular frame consisting of xT-".nood members 20, to the outer faces and outer lateral edges of which are secured sheet metal strips 21, made from stock substantially 26 gauge. The fabric 5 is wrapped about the metal frame members 7, 8, 9, 10 aud the combination ivood and metal frame 20-21, commencing at the 'corner 22 ofthe frame 20, Figure 2,. thence running` outwardly7 along' the inner edge of the frame member 20 and around an inner extending` nose portion 21 of the sheet metal member 2,1, thence across the outer f'a'c'e of the sheet metal member 21 and transversely, as the intermediate'fabric section 5^, over and beyond the members 7, 8, 9, and 10, to form the lapping edge of the curtain Where the fabric is supported by a wire netting 19-` except at thev upper edge-thence over the inner sideA of said netting 19 and over the inner sides of the sections 7, 8, 9, and 10,

completing a double thickness of the fabric section 5', and thence over the inner sides of the framey member 20 to the corner 23, Figure 2. The actual process of thus disposing the fabric 5 consists preferably in Working inwardly from the point 53 With upper and lower sections of fabric which arestitched together at this point. rllhe ends 22 and 23 of the fabric are secured by tacks 24 driven into 4the frame members 20. The fabric` 5 adjacently the inner edges of the netting 19 is stitched through said nett-ing. Also, it is stitched adjacently the upper edge ofthe metal frame member 8 to form the upper lapping ledge 52, Figures 3 and 4. TheA outlook 6 is then laid upon the fabric, Which-is supported by the nose portions 21 of the sheet metal members 21, and molding stripsv25 secured interiorly of the out look 6 by means of tacks 26 driven through said molding and in the Wood frame inem* bers 20. Suitable other tacks, as desired, are utilized for adequately securing together the several elements. In the event it is desired'to use a celluloid outlook instead of the glass outlook, I dispense With the combination metal-wood inner frame and utilize only the outer metal supporting` frame con` sisting of the rods 9 and 10 and bars 7 and 8A In the type of inclosure shown in Figures 6 to 12 inclusive, ordinalsl, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 25 and 26 refer to details similar to those-shown in Figures 1 to 5. In the type of inclosure shown in Figures 6 to 12, there is no intermediate fabric section, similar to the section 5 shown in Figure 1, but the glass outlook 6 is supported in a combination sheet metal and Wood frame' member disposed adja- In these i to the outer edge of the supporting` rods 37, .L

on the sides or to the inner faces of the top and bottom, respectively, 'of the horirontal` frame members 27, Figure 1.0, and thence on the sides `around the rods 37, to the point 28, Figure 8, the ,nose 29 thus forming a supporting flange for the glass outlook 6 similar to the construction shown in Figure v1; In this construction, the fabric 5 commences at the corner 31 of the frame member 27, Figure 8, runs across the inner 'edge of said member 27, thence around the nose 29, member 29, nettingflt), and thence to the corner'34 ot the frame member 27. The

, the constructionshown in F igu'res'l top5,'the

glass outlook Gis supported upon theffabric 5, intcimediately thenosc 29 ot the sheet metal supporting member andthe molding 25. It willy be seen thatjthisconstruction provides an opening "40, Figure 8, bounded by the Wood members 27,'and thesheet metal members 29,` Within Whichr the supporting rods 87 are positioned. These rods 37 are formed with rectangularsupportingends 38, Figure 11, adapted to bereceived by brackets 39 having openings rectangular in cross section and secured to theinner face of the door 1. These brackets 39, of yWvhichfan eleL vation plainly appears in 'Figure'I 6,"are of the design forming the subject matter ot'my companion application rforl Design Letters Patent of the United "States, Serial` No.

345,139. Thesheet metal of the frame is assembled from several sections, andthe overlapping edges ofthe dilferent sections at nected parts,so`as to enable the` frame asv whole to be stored flat and 1n avery small space. This last-named' feature is 'similar in result to the function accomplishedby a double swivel in the'type of inclosure shown, described and claimed in my companion application torfU. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 227,952. I y f Referring to the type of upper` `doorin closure shown in Figures 13 to 18, the same differs from the type shown in Figures 6 'to 12 in that the lower yportion 43, Figure l18, of the supporting rods are vcylindrical and the upper portions 44 are rectangular in cross-section,l said sections '43"and' 44 being preferably `Welded together atth'e lpoint 45. The rectangular' upper sections'44, lWhich are ofi comparatively'small cross-sectional area, are. contained within suitable pockets or recesses 46, formed in tliewood 'trame members 42. f The tabric` is stretched from. the point 231, inside member 42, Figurel, around members 29', 29, 2912` to point 32.l The member 292 is a sheet metal insertwhich 'is substituted tor the netting 19, if desired. The netting 19, Figuresl to', issimply a reinforcing Wing Whichis resilient vand keeps the iabric 5 from rWearingyivhen theiabric contacten/ith Wood or metal; however, when the fabric 5 does not Contact with Wood or metal, the metal inserts 292 are usedFigures 13 to 18. It willk be'noted, Figure 13, that these ymetal inserts 292 form a lil-shaped iframe and the several members of thei'rame are pivotally connected together at the con# necting points 51e-nd 52 so" as tolo'rm U- frame which can buckle or tend'to close-up in action. Thispivotal connection at the points 51 and 52y is lobtainedby punching a hole through one of the inserts 292 and punching another insert 292 so that Athe material there* of is laterally extended into a broken generally conical prot-uberanee which is inserted through thehole of the 51st-mentioned in sert and then the outer edge (ot the'protuberance upset to produce a secure coime'ction which, however, allows for the relative 'pivotal movement of the two members. The possible buckling action ofthe lJ-shaped trame` 29,2 is serviceable in assembling when itis necessary to buckle thetwo legs ot the frame in order yto insert the latter into the fabric covering. Between points 33 and 34, upon thel inner and outer edges, respectively, of member 42, is stretcheda lining 36, desired; or-'iiabric 5 may be utilized between these points. The fabric '5 and vlining 36 are secured by tacks 35^driven 'into members 42. It is notfnecessary in this `form oi inclosuie .to provide 'an angular outer extensionof the metal member '29, forming a recess to receive the supporting rod, because the section y44 of the rod iis thin compared with the Wood member 42, and is disposed Within said Wood member, so that themetal per'edge ot Athe door, adjacentlyfth'e outer tace of the door, 'for taking the bushings Y :f

and the supporting ends' of the rods 43, .as

plainly Yappears 'inFigure 14;l ",lh'is'is simi,H

lar tothe construction shown in Figures l to 5. As before explained, by this construction, the voffset 47,'Figures14 and .16, is so slightthat there is no necessity rtorturning down the rod' 43 'for storage purposes.- The comparative sizesv ofthe upper and lower wood ffl/"ame member's48 and 50, Figure 13,

'i relative tothe side trame members. 42, are substantially shown i Figures v15,'.16a1nl 1-7, Figure 16 bein'g'substantially one-fourth the scale ot Figures A15 and-17. The method of mounting the glassoutlook 6y inside vthe `combination :Wood and sheet metal lrameis similar to that shown in Figures 6 to l2. rlhe overlapping corners of the several members forming the sheet metal frame are indicated by the ordinals 49, Figure 13. The several frame members which l show for purposes of illustration only are so cut as to allow for the particular design of glass'outlook 6 which is shown in the drawing.

The types of upper door inclosures which l have above described, yandwhich are shown in the` accompanying dra-wings and hereinafter claimed, are eHicient in service, are rigid, except for the potential buckling of the form shown in Figure i3, as well as being very light and thin.

ln the form of curtain shown in Figure i3, the sheet metal inserts 292 are provided upon the two sides and the` top of the inclosure and are pivotally riveted together atthe top corners, whereby the frameis reinforced on all three sides.

Y'Vhat l claim is:

l. The combination, in an enclosed vehicle having an entrance and a door for the lower part of said entrance, of a construction ofthe upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, a glass outlook; a wooden frame bounding said outlook; sheet metal strengthening members covering one face of saidrframe and extending interiorly thereof to form a rest for one side of said outlook, means retaining said outlook against said rest; suitable fabric covering said frame and sheet metal members and exteriorly overlapping the same; andL rods for removably mounting the inclosure upon the vehicle door. Y v

2. The combination, in an enclosed vehicle having an entrance and a door for the lower part of said entrance, of a construction of the upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, a glass outlook; a wooden frame boui'iding said outlook;sheet metal `strengthening members secured to said frame and extending interiorly thereof-to form a rest for one side of said out look; means retaining said outlook against said rest; suitable fabric covering said frame and sheet metal members and exteriorly overlapping the same; metal inserts, in combinationwith said overlapping fabric, forming sealing inclosure edges; and rods for removably mounting the inclosure upon the vehicle door.

3L The combination, in an enclosed Ve hicle having an entrance and a door for the lower part of said entrance, ofa construction of the upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, a glass outlook; a wooden frame bounding said outlook; sheet metal 7strengthening members secured to the outer face of said frame; spaced means secured interiorly of'said frame adjacentlv the inner and outer faces thereof and forming rests for said outlook, the latter being disposed intermediate'ly the resting means; rods, for ren'iovably mounting the inclosure upon the vehicle door, incorporated Within said wooden frame and strengthening members; andl suitable fabric covering said frame and ysheet metal members and exteriorly overlapping the same.

et. The combination, in an enclosed vehicle having an entrance and a door for the lower part of saidr entrance, of a construction of the upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, a glass out-look; a wooden frame bounding said outlook; sheet metal strengthening members secured to saidframe and extending laterally thereof and forming a channel adjacent the edge of said frame; spaced means secured interiorly of said frame adjacently the inner and outer faces thereof and forming rests for. said outlook, the latter being disposed intermediately the resting means; rods, for removably mounting the inclosure upon the vehicle door, incorporated within said chan nel; and suitable fabric covering said frame and sheet metal members and exteriorly overlapping the same. A

7 `5. The combination, in an enclosed vehicle having an entrance and aldoor for the lower part of said entrance, of a construction'` of the upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, a glass outlook; wooden frame bounding said outlook; sheet metal'strengthening members secured to the outer face of said frame, extending eXteriorly thereof and forming a channel adjacent the outer edge of said frame, said sheet metal members also extending interiorly of said frame to form a rest for the outside ofsaid outlook; a bead secured interiorly of saidkframe, and adjacently the inner face thereof for retainingsaid outlook; rods, for removably n'iountingthe inclosure upon the. vehicle door, incorporated within said channel; and suitable fabric covering said frame and sheet metal members and eXteriorly overlapping thev same.

6. The combination, inl an enclosed vehicle having an entrance and a door for the lower part of said entrance,` of a construction of the upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, a glass outlook; a wooden frame bounding` said outlook; sheet metalA strengthening members secured to the outer face of said frame and extending iuteriorly thereof to form a rest for the outside of said outlook; a bead secured interiorly of said frame and adjacently the inner face thereof for retaining said outlook; square rods, for removably mounting the inclosure upon nthe vehicle door, disposed within .pockets formed by said wooden frame and said strengthening members` said rods having cylindrical lower ends and the door having vvertical cylindrical re- ]cesses adjacently its outer face for receiving said rod ends; and suitable Jfabric coverlng said frame and sheet metal members and exteriorly overlappingthesame. y

i T. The combination, in an enclosed vehicle havingan entranceand a door for the lower part of Said entrance, oi a construe tion, out the upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, an outlook; an outer supporting frame comprising i upper and lower horizontal bars and vertical side bars rigidly secured to saidy horizontal. bars; suitable fabric within which the outlook is supported, said fabric extending'outwardly from said outlook, then covering),` saidirame,y and exteriorly overlapping the latter; metal inserts, in combination with said overlapping fabric, forming` sealing inclosure edges; and means for removably n'lounting the inclosure upon the vehicleidoor.

8. The combination, in an enolosedvchicle havingan entrance and a door for the lower part of said entrance, of a construction of the upper door-section of the `inclosure consisting of, a glass outlook; a Wooden. :trame bounding said outlook; spaced means secured interiorly of said frame adjacently the inner and outer faces thereof and forming rests for said outlook, the latter being disposed intermediately the resting means5 suitablefabric covering said frame and exteriorly overlapping the saine; a three-sided frame incorporated Within said overlapping fabric and comprised of sheet metal members pivotally riveted to-` gether; and rods for removably mounting; the inclosure upon the vehicle door.

9. The combination,` in an enclosed vehicle having an entrance and a door `for the lower part of said entrance,of a construction ot' the upper door-section of the inclosure consisting of, a glass outlook; a

Wooden frame boundingsaid outlook; sheet metal strengthening members secured to said frame; spaced means secured interiorly yof said frame adjacentlythe inner and outer faces thereofV and forming rests for "said outlook, the latter being disposed inythe inclosure upon the vehicle door, incorporated Within said Wooden fframe and strengthening members.

Signed by vmethis 16 day of July, 1920.

GEORGE E. BisHor. 

